Card Reader and Control Method Therefor

ABSTRACT

A card reader may include a magnetic sensor to detect whether magnetic data are recorded in the magnetic stripe of the card; a control section to supply electric power to the magnetic sensor and into which an output signal of the magnetic sensor is inputted; and a card insertion port into which the card is inserted and in which the magnetic sensor is disposed. The magnetic sensor may output an output signal when the electric power is supplied from the control section. The control section may supply the electric power to the magnetic sensor during a first supply time period which is shorter than a card passage time period.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/JP2015/073516,filed on Aug. 21, 2015. Priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) and 35 U.S.C.§365(b) is claimed from Japanese Application No. 2014-196424, filed Sep.26, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

At least an embodiment of the present invention relates to a card readercomprising a magnetic sensor for detecting whether magnetic data arerecorded in a magnetic stripe of a card or not. Further, at least anembodiment of the present invention relates to a control method for thecard reader.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a card reader structured to read magnetic data recordedon a card has been known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). A cardreader described in Patent Literature 1 includes a magnetic head forreading magnetic data recorded on a card. Further, the card readerincludes a pre-head (magnetic head) for detecting whether magnetic dataare recorded in a magnetic stripe of a card inserted into a cardinsertion port or not.

In an industry where a card reader is utilized, illegal acquisition of asignal outputted from a pre-head by a criminal who illegally acquiresmagnetic information recorded in a card, so-called “tapping” hasconventionally become a large issue. In the card reader described inPatent Literature 1, a false signal output circuit structured to outputa signal different from the signal corresponding to magnetic datarecorded in a card is provided in an inside of the pre-head and thus,even when a criminal acquires a signal outputted from the pre-head, thecriminal is unable to acquire a signal corresponding to magnetic datarecorded in the card. Therefore, in the card reader, illegal acquisitionof magnetic information by a criminal is prevented.

CITATION LIST

[PTL 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-205187

As described above, in the card reader described in Patent Literature 1,a false signal output circuit is provided in an inside of a pre-head andthus illegal acquisition of magnetic information by a criminal isprevented. However, in the card reader, a false signal output circuit isprovided in the inside of the pre-head and thus the pre-head isexpensive and, as a result, a cost of the card reader is increased.

SUMMARY

In view of the problem described above, at least an embodiment of thepresent invention provides a card reader which is capable of preventingillegal acquisition of magnetic information by a criminal and reducingits cost although it is capable of detecting whether magnetic data arerecorded in a magnetic stripe of a card or not. Further, at least anembodiment of the present invention provides a control method for a cardreader which is capable of preventing illegal acquisition of magneticinformation by a criminal and reducing its cost although it is capableof detecting whether magnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe ofa card or not.

To solve the above-mentioned problem, at least an embodiment of thepresent invention provides a card reader including a magnetic sensorstructured to detect whether magnetic data are recorded in a magneticstripe of a card or not, a control section which is structured to supplyelectric power to the magnetic sensor and into which an output signal ofthe magnetic sensor is inputted, and a card insertion part which isformed with a card insertion port into which a card is inserted and inwhich the magnetic sensor is disposed. The magnetic sensor outputs anoutput signal when the electric power is supplied from the controlsection and, in a case that a time period from a time when a recordingarea of magnetic data recorded in a magnetic stripe of the card insertedinto the card insertion port starts to pass the magnetic sensor to atime when the recording area has finished to pass through the magneticsensor is defined as a card passage time period, the control sectionsupplies the electric power to the magnetic sensor for a first supplytime period which is shorter than the card passage time period.

In the card reader in accordance with at least an embodiment of thepresent invention, the magnetic sensor for detecting whether magneticdata are recorded in a magnetic stripe of a card or not outputs anoutput signal when electric power is supplied. Further, in at least anembodiment of the present invention, the control section supplieselectric power to the magnetic sensor during a first supply time periodwhich is shorter than a card passage time period which is a time periodfrom a time when a recording area of magnetic data recorded in amagnetic stripe of the card inserted into the card insertion port startsto pass the magnetic sensor to a time when the recording area hasfinished to pass through the magnetic sensor. Therefore, according to atleast an embodiment of the present invention, when a card in whichmagnetic data are recorded in its magnetic stripe has passed through themagnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor outputs a part of a signalcorresponding to the magnetic data recorded in the card as an outputsignal. However, the magnetic sensor does not output the entire signalcorresponding to the magnetic data recorded in the card as an outputsignal, and thus a criminal cannot acquire the entire signalcorresponding to the magnetic data recorded in the card from themagnetic sensor. Therefore, according to at least an embodiment of thepresent invention, although it can be detected based on an output signalof the magnetic sensor whether or not magnetic data are recorded in amagnetic stripe in a card inserted into the card insertion port, illegalacquisition of magnetic information by a criminal is prevented. Further,in at least an embodiment of the present invention, while detectingwhether magnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe in a card or notby utilizing a commonly used magnetic sensor, illegal acquisition ofmagnetic information by a criminal is prevented and thus, a cost of thecard reader can be reduced.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the control sectionsupplies the electric power to the magnetic sensor during the firstsupply time period intermittently. According to this structure, electricpower can be supplied to the magnetic sensor by a simple control when amagnetic stripe of a card is passed through the magnetic sensor.Accordingly, the card reader is easily controlled.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the card readerincludes a card insertion sensor structured to detect that the card hasbeen inserted into the card insertion port, and the control sectionsupplies the electric power to the magnetic sensor during the firstsupply time period intermittently when it is detected based on adetected result of the card insertion sensor that the card has beeninserted into the card insertion port. According to this structure, incomparison with a case that, even in a standby state before a card isinserted into the card insertion port, electric power is supplied to themagnetic sensor during the first supply time period intermittently,power saving of the card reader can be attained.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the control sectionexecutes an abnormality processing in a case that an output signal ofthe magnetic sensor is inputted into the control section when thecontrol section does not supply the electric power to the magneticsensor. According to this structure, even if a criminal performs acertain trick to make electric power be supplied to the magnetic sensorso that the magnetic sensor outputs the entire signal corresponding tomagnetic data recorded in a card as an output signal, illegalacquisition of magnetic information by a criminal can be prevented.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic sensoris, for example, an MR sensor which utilizes a magnetoresistance effect.

Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, at least an embodiment ofthe present invention provides a control method for a card readerincluding a magnetic sensor structured to detect whether magnetic dataare recorded in a magnetic stripe of a card or not and a card insertionpart which is formed with a card insertion port into which a card isinserted and in which the magnetic sensor is disposed. The controlmethod includes previously providing the magnetic sensor structured tooutput an output signal when electric power is supplied to the magneticsensor and, in a case that a time period from a time when a recordingarea of magnetic data recorded in a magnetic stripe of the card insertedinto the card insertion port starts to pass the magnetic sensor to atime when the recording area has finished to pass through the magneticsensor is defined as a card passage time period, the electric power issupplied to the magnetic sensor during a first supply time period whichis shorter than the card passage time period.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic sensorfor detecting whether magnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe ofa card or not outputs an output signal when electric power is supplied.Further, in at least an embodiment of the present invention, electricpower is supplied to the magnetic sensor during a first supply timeperiod which is shorter than a card passage time period which is a timeperiod from a time when a recording area of magnetic data recorded in amagnetic stripe of the card inserted into the card insertion port startsto pass the magnetic sensor to a time when the recording area hasfinished to pass through the magnetic sensor. Therefore, according to atleast an embodiment of the present invention, when a card in whichmagnetic data are recorded in its magnetic stripe has passed through themagnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor outputs a part of a signalcorresponding to the magnetic data recorded in the card as an outputsignal. However, the magnetic sensor does not output the entire signalcorresponding to the magnetic data recorded in the card as an outputsignal, and thus a criminal cannot acquire the entire signalcorresponding to the magnetic data recorded in the card. Therefore,according to at least an embodiment of the present invention, althoughit can be detected based on an output signal of the magnetic sensorwhether or not magnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe in a cardinserted into the card insertion port, illegal acquisition of magneticinformation by a criminal is prevented. Further, in at least anembodiment of the present invention, while detecting whether magneticdata are recorded in a magnetic stripe of a card or not by utilizing acommonly used magnetic sensor, illegal acquisition of magneticinformation by a criminal can be prevented and thus, a cost of the cardreader can be reduced.

As described above, in at least an embodiment of the present invention,although it can be detected based on an output signal of the magneticsensor whether magnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe of a cardinserted into the card insertion port or not, illegal acquisition ofmagnetic information by a criminal is prevented and a cost of the cardreader can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary,not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in severalFigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a card reader in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control section to which a magneticsensor shown in FIG. 1 is connected.

FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are views for explaining on/off timing of a magneticsensor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a control flow at a time oftaking-in operation of a card in a card reader shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Structure of Card Reader

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a card reader 1 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing acontrol section 14 to which a magnetic sensor 8 shown in FIG. 1 isconnected. FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are views for explaining on/off timing ofthe magnetic sensor 8 shown in FIG. 1.

A card reader 1 in this embodiment is a device which is structured toperform reading of magnetic data recorded on a card 2 and/or recordingof magnetic data on a card 2 and is, for example, mounted and used in apredetermined host apparatus such as an ATM. The card reader 1 includesa card insertion part 4 formed with an insertion port 3 into which acard 2 is inserted, and a main body part 5. A card passage where a card2 inserted into the insertion port 3 is passed is formed in an inside ofthe card reader 1. In this embodiment, a card 2 is passed in the “X”direction shown in FIG. 1.

The card reader 1 includes a magnetic head 7 structured to performreading of magnetic data recorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a of a card 2and/or recording magnetic data to the magnetic stripe 2 a, a magneticsensor 8 structured to detect whether magnetic data are recorded in amagnetic stripe 2 a of a card 2 or not, card insertion sensors 9structured to detect insertion of a card 2 into the card insertion port3, and a shutter member 10 structured to open and close the cardpassage. The magnetic head 7 is disposed in the main body part 5. Themagnetic sensor 8, the card insertion sensors 9 and the shutter member10 are disposed in the card insertion part 4. Further, the card reader 1includes a card conveying mechanism (not shown) structured to convey acard 2 in the card passage.

A card 2 is, for example, a rectangular card made of vinyl chloridewhose thickness is about 0.7-0.8 mm. The card 2 is formed with amagnetic stripe 2 a in which magnetic data are recorded. The magneticstripe 2 a is formed in a strip shape along a longitudinal direction ofthe card 2 which is formed in a substantially rectangular shape.Magnetic data can be recorded over a predetermined range in alongitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 2 a of the card 2. Inother words, a recording area of magnetic data recorded in the magneticstripe 2 a is specified in the card 2. The card 2 is inserted into thecard reader 1 and conveyed inside the card reader 1 in a state that alongitudinal direction of the card 2 is substantially coincided with the“X” direction (a passing direction of the card 2). In accordance with anembodiment, an IC chip and/or an antenna for communication may beincorporated in the card 2. Further, the card 2 may be a PET(polyethylene terephthalate) card whose thickness is about 0.18-0.36 mmor may be a paper card having a predetermined thickness.

The card insertion sensors 9 are, for example, a card width sensorstructured to detect a width of the card 2 which is perpendicular to apassing direction of the card 2 and a thickness direction of the card 2.The card insertion sensors 9 include, for example, two sensor levers(not shown) capable of contacting with both end parts of a card 2 in awidth direction of the card 2 (“Y” direction in FIG. 1), and contactswitches or photo interrupters (not shown) structured to detectrespective movements of the two sensor levers. When end parts of a card2 inserted into the card insertion port 3 are contacted with the sensorlevers and movements of the sensor levers are detected, it is detectedthat the card 2 has been inserted into the card insertion port 3.

The shutter member 10 is disposed on a rear side with respect to thecard insertion sensors 9 in a passing direction of the card 2. Theshutter member 10 is connected with a shutter drive mechanism not shown.The shutter member 10 is structured to be movable between a positionwhere the shutter member 10 closes the card passage and a position wherethe shutter member 10 opens the card passage.

The magnetic sensor 8 is an MR sensor which utilizes a magnetoresistanceeffect. The magnetic sensor 8 is disposed on a rear side with respect tothe card insertion sensors 9 and on a front side with respect to theshutter member 10 in a passing direction of the card 2. In other words,the magnetic sensor 8 is disposed between the card insertion sensors 9and the shutter member 10 in a passing direction of the card 2. Further,the magnetic sensor 8 is disposed at a position where a magnetic stripe2 a of a card 2 inserted into the card insertion port 3 is passed.

The magnetic sensor 8 is connected with a control section 14. Thecontrol section 14 includes a power supply circuit 15 and supplieselectric power to the magnetic sensor 8. The power supply circuit 15 isconnected with the magnetic sensor 8 through a switch 17. Further, thecontrol section 14 includes a detection circuit 16 to which an outputsignal of the magnetic sensor 8 is inputted and thus an output signal ofthe magnetic sensor 8 is inputted into the control section 14. Thedetection circuit 16 determines whether magnetic data are recorded in amagnetic stripe 2 a or not based on an output signal of the magneticsensor 8. In this embodiment, the card insertion sensors 9 are alsoconnected with the control section 14.

As shown in FIG. 3(A), when the switch 17 is turned on, electric poweris supplied to the magnetic sensor 8 and the magnetic sensor 8 is turnedon. Further, when the switch 17 is turned off, supply of the electricpower to the magnetic sensor 8 is stopped and the magnetic sensor 8 isturned off. When the magnetic sensor 8 is turned on, the magnetic sensor8 outputs an output signal. In other words, when electric power issupplied to the magnetic sensor 8 from the control section 14, themagnetic sensor 8 outputs an output signal to the detection circuit 16.

When a time period from a time when a recording area of magnetic datarecorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a of a card 2 inserted into the cardinsertion port 3 starts to pass the magnetic sensor 8 to a time when therecording area has finished to pass through the magnetic sensor 8 isdefined as a card passage time period “T”, the control section 14supplies electric power to the magnetic sensor 8 during a first supplytime period “ΔT” which is shorter than the card passage time period “T”(see FIG. 3). In other words, the control section 14 continuouslysupplies electric power to the magnetic sensor 8 during the first supplytime period “ΔT” which is shorter than the card passage time period “T”for each power supply.

Specifically, the control section 14 supplies electric power during thefirst supply time period “ΔT” to the magnetic sensor 8 intermittently.In other words, the magnetic sensor 8 is turned on during the firstsupply time period “ΔT” intermittently to output an output signal. Inother words, the magnetic sensor 8 repeats a state that the magneticsensor 8 is turned on to output an output signal and a state that themagnetic sensor 8 is turned off to stop outputting an output signal atevery predetermined time interval. In this embodiment, when it isdetected that a card 2 has been inserted into the card insertion port 3based on a detected result by the card insertion sensors 9, the controlsection 14 supplies electric power during the first supply time period“ΔT” to the magnetic sensor 8 intermittently, and the magnetic sensor 8outputs an output signal during the first supply time period “ΔT”intermittently.

In this embodiment, as described below, when it is detected thatmagnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a, the control section14 stops supplying the electric power to the magnetic sensor 8afterward. Further, the card passage time period “T” is determined by aninserting speed of a card 2 to the card reader 1 by a user and aconveyance speed of the card 2 by the card conveying mechanism.Dispersion of inserting speeds of a card 2 by a user is large.Therefore, the first supply time period “ΔT” is set to be a sufficientlyshorter time period than an assumed card passage time period “T” so thatthe first supply time period “ΔT” does not become longer than the cardpassage time period “T”. For example, the first supply time period “ΔT”is set to be 10 msec (millisecond) to several 10 msec. Further, a powerstopping time period “ΔT1” (see FIG. 3(A)) in which supply of theelectric power to the magnetic sensor 8 is stopped intermittently isalso set to be a sufficiently shorter time period than an assumed cardpassage time period “T” so that, when the magnetic sensor 8 is turnedoff and output of the output signal is stopped, the recording area ofmagnetic data of a card 2 does not finish to pass through the magneticsensor 8.

Further, as shown by the “E” part in FIG. 3(B), in a state that theswitch 17 is off and thus the control section 14 does not supplyelectric power to the magnetic sensor 8, when the magnetic sensor 8 isturned on and an output signal of the magnetic sensor 8 is inputted intothe control section 14, the control section 14 executes a predeterminedabnormality processing. For example, the control section 14 executes anabnormality processing, for example, operation of the card reader 1 isstopped or, an alarm is notified to a host apparatus on which the cardreader 1 is mounted.

Control of Card Reader in Card Taking-In Operation

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a control flow whentaking-in operation of a card 2 is performed in the card reader 1 shownin FIG. 1.

The card reader 1 takes a card 2 into its inside as described below. Inother words, in a standby state before a card 2 is inserted into thecard reader 1, the control section 14 judges whether an output signal ofthe magnetic sensor 8 is inputted into the control section 14(specifically, the detection circuit 16) or not (step “S1”). Asdescribed above, when it is detected by the control section 14 that acard 2 has been inserted into the card insertion port 3 based on adetected result by the card insertion sensors 9, the control section 14supplies electric power to the magnetic sensor 8 and, when the electricpower is supplied to the magnetic sensor 8 by the control section 14,the magnetic sensor 8 outputs an output signal. Therefore, in the step“S1”, in a standby state, if an output signal of the magnetic sensor 8is inputted into the control section 14, the output signal is outputtedfrom the magnetic sensor 8 although the control section 14 does notsupply electric power to the magnetic sensor 8. Accordingly, it isestimated that some fraudulent act is going to be performed and thus thecontrol section 14 executes an abnormality processing (step “S2”) asdescribed above. In this embodiment, in a standby state, the shuttermember 10 closes the card passage.

On the other hand, in the step “S1”, when an output signal of themagnetic sensor 8 is not inputted into the control section 14 in astandby state, the control section 14 judges whether a card 2 has beeninserted into the card insertion port 3 or not based on a detectedresult by the card insertion sensors 9 (step “S3”). When insertion of acard 2 is detected (when “Yes” in the step “S3”), the control section 14starts to supply electric power to the magnetic sensor 8 and thus themagnetic sensor 8 is turned on (step “S4”). Further, in the step “S4”,the control section 14 stores an initial level of the output signal ofthe magnetic sensor 8.

After that, the control section 14 judges whether a difference betweenan output signal level of the magnetic sensor 8 sampled at apredetermined period and the initial level of the output signal of themagnetic sensor 8 stored in the step “S4” (in other words, variation ofthe output signal of the magnetic sensor 8) is a predetermined value ormore or not (step “S5”). In the step “S5”, in a case that a variation ofthe output signal of the magnetic sensor 8 is the predetermined value ormore, the control section 14 determines that magnetic data are recordedin a magnetic stripe 2 a of the inserted card 2 and stops supplying theelectric power to the magnetic sensor 8 to turn the magnetic sensor 8off (step “S6” 6). After that, a taking-in operation of the card 2 isperformed (step “S7”). In the step “S7”, the shutter member 10 which hasclosed the card passage is moved to open the card passage and the cardconveying mechanism is activated to take the card 2 into the inside ofthe main body part 5.

In the step “S5”, in a case that a variation of the output signal of themagnetic sensor 8 is less than the predetermined value, the controlsection 14 determines that a recording area of magnetic data recorded ina magnetic stripe 2 a of the inserted card 2 has not reached to adisposing position of the magnetic sensor 8 and determines whether thefirst supply time period “ΔT” has elapsed or not after supply of theelectric power to the magnetic sensor 8 is started in the step “S4”(step “S8”). In the step “S8”, in a case that the first supply timeperiod “ΔT” has not elapsed, the flow is returned to the step “S5” and,in a case that, in the step “S8”, the first supply time period “ΔT” haselapsed, the control section 14 stops supplying the electric power tothe magnetic sensor 8 to turn off the magnetic sensor 8 (step “S9”).

After that, the control section 14 judges whether the power stoppingtime period “ΔT1” has elapsed or not after the magnetic sensor 8 isturned off in the step “S9” (step “S10”). When the predetermined timeperiod has elapsed (“Yes” in the step “S10”), the control section 14starts supplying electric power to the magnetic sensor 8 again and themagnetic sensor 8 is turned on (step “S11”) and, after that, the flow isreturned to the step “S5”.

A time period from the time when the magnetic sensor 8 is turned on inthe step “S4” to the time when the magnetic sensor 8 is turned off inthe step “S6” and a time period from the time when the magnetic sensor 8is turned on in the step “S11” to the time when the magnetic sensor 8 isturned off in the step “S6” become the first supply time period “ΔT” orless. Further, in a case that a variation of an output signal of themagnetic sensor 8 does not become the predetermined value or more in thestep “S5” even when the predetermined time period has elapsed afterinsertion of a card 2 has been detected in the step “S3”, the controlsection 14 determines that a card 2 or the like in which magnetic dataare not recorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a has been inserted into thecard insertion port 3, or determines that a card 2 has been insertedinto the card insertion port 3 in a wrong posture, and the controlsection 14 executes an abnormality processing. In addition, in a casethat an output signal of the magnetic sensor 8 is inputted into thecontrol section 14 during a taking-in operation of a card 2 in the step“S7”, the output signal is outputted by the magnetic sensor 8 althoughthe control section 14 does not supply electric power to the magneticsensor 8 and thus it is estimated that some fraudulent act is performed.Therefore, the control section 14 stops the taking-in operation of thecard 2 and executes an abnormality processing, for example, an ejectingoperation of the card 2 is performed.

Principal Effects in this Embodiment

As described above, in this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 8 outputs anoutput signal when the control section 14 supplies electric power to themagnetic sensor 8. Further, in this embodiment, the control section 14supplies the electric power to the magnetic sensor 8 during the firstsupply time period “ΔT” which is shorter than the card passage timeperiod “T”, which is a time period from a time when a recording area ofmagnetic data recorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a of a card 2 insertedinto the card insertion port 3 starts to pass the magnetic sensor 8 to atime when the recording area has finished to pass through the magneticsensor 8. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when a card 2 inwhich magnetic data are recorded in its magnetic stripe 2 a has passedthrough the magnetic sensor 8, the magnetic sensor 8 outputs a part of asignal corresponding to magnetic data recorded in the card 2 as anoutput signal. However, the magnetic sensor 8 does not output the entiresignal corresponding to magnetic data recorded in the card 2 as anoutput signal, and thus a criminal cannot acquire the entire signalcorresponding to magnetic data recorded in the card 2 from the magneticsensor 8. Therefore, according to this embodiment, although it can bedetected whether magnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a ornot based on an output signal of the magnetic sensor 8, illegalacquisition of magnetic information by a criminal is prevented. Further,in this embodiment, while detecting whether magnetic data are recordedin a magnetic stripe 2 a or not by utilizing a commonly used magneticsensor 8, illegal acquisition of magnetic information by a criminal isprevented. Therefore, a cost of the card reader 1 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the control section 14 supplies electric powerduring the first supply time period “ΔT” to the magnetic sensor 8intermittently. Further, in this embodiment, the first supply timeperiod “ΔT” and the power stopping time period “ΔT1” are set to be asufficiently shorter time period than the assumed card passage timeperiod “T”. Therefore, according to this embodiment, electric power canbe supplied to the magnetic sensor 8 by a simple control when a magneticstripe 2 a of a card 2 is passed through the magnetic sensor 8.Accordingly, in this embodiment, the card reader 1 is easily controlled.

In this embodiment, when it is detected that a card 2 has been insertedinto the card insertion port 3 based on a detected result by the cardinsertion sensors 9, the control section 14 supplies electric powerduring the first supply time period “ΔT” to the magnetic sensor 8intermittently. Therefore, in this embodiment, power saving of the cardreader 1 can be attained in comparison with a case that, even in astandby state before a card 2 is inserted into the card insertion port3, electric power is supplied during the first supply time period “ΔT”to the magnetic sensor 8 intermittently.

In this embodiment, the control section 14 executes a predeterminedabnormality processing if the magnetic sensor 8 is turned on and anoutput signal of the magnetic sensor 8 is inputted into the controlsection 14 although the control section 14 does not supply electricpower to the magnetic sensor 8. Therefore, according to this embodiment,even if a criminal performs a predetermined trick in order to makeelectric power be supplied to the magnetic sensor 8 so that the magneticsensor 8 outputs the entire signal corresponding to magnetic datarecorded in a card 2 as an output signal, illegal acquisition ofmagnetic information by a criminal is prevented.

The magnetic sensor 8 in this embodiment is an MR sensor. Therefore,according to this embodiment, even when a card 2 is in a stopped state,it can be detected whether magnetic data are recorded in a magneticstripe 2 a of a card 2 or not by the magnetic sensor 8.

Other Embodiments

Although the present invention has been shown and described withreference to a specific embodiment, various changes and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

In the embodiment described above, in the step “S5”, the control section14 judges whether or not a difference between an output signal level ofthe magnetic sensor 8 sampled at a predetermined period and the initiallevel of the output signal of the magnetic sensor 8 stored in the step“S4” (in other words, variation of the output signal of the magneticsensor 8) is not less than a predetermined value and, based on theresult, the control section 14 detects whether magnetic data arerecorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a of the inserted card 2 or not.However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Forexample, it may be structured that the control section 14 judges whetheror not an output signal level of the magnetic sensor 8 sampled at apredetermined period is not less than a predetermined value and, basedon the result, the control section 14 detects whether magnetic data arerecorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a of the inserted card 2 or not. In thiscase, the control section 14 is not required to store an initial levelof an output signal of the magnetic sensor 8 in the step “S4”. Further,in a case that the control section 14 detects whether magnetic data arerecorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a of the inserted card 2 or not based ona variation of an output signal of the magnetic sensor 8, the controlsection 14 is capable of performing accurate detection so that atemporal variation of an output signal of the magnetic sensor 8 due to atemperature variation or the like is eliminated.

In the embodiment described above, the control section 14 supplieselectric power during the first supply time period “ΔT” to the magneticsensor 8 intermittently. However, the present invention is not limitedto this embodiment. For example, it may be structured that, in a casethat electric power can be supplied to the magnetic sensor 8 when arecording area of magnetic data recorded in a magnetic stripe 2 a ispassed through the magnetic sensor 8, the control section 14 supplieselectric power during the first supply time period “ΔT” once to themagnetic sensor 8 at a predetermined timing after it is detected basedon a detected result of the card insertion sensors 9 that a card 2 hasbeen inserted into the card insertion port 3.

In the embodiment described above, when it is detected that a card 2 hasbeen inserted into the card insertion port 3 based on a detected resultof the card insertion sensors 9, the control section 14 supplieselectric power during the first supply time period “ΔT” to the magneticsensor 8 intermittently. However, the present invention is not limitedto this embodiment. For example, it may be structured that the controlsection 14 supplies electric power during the first supply time period“ΔT” to the magnetic sensor 8 intermittently also in a standby statebefore a card 2 is inserted into the card insertion port 3. In thiscase, the card reader 1 may include no card insertion sensor 9.

In the embodiment described above, the magnetic sensor 8 is an MR sensorwhich utilizes a magnetoresistance effect. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the magneticsensor 8 may be a flux gate sensor structured of an exciting coil, adetection coil and a core around which the exciting coil and thedetection coil are wound. Further, the magnetic sensor 8 may be an MIsensor which utilizes magnetic impedance or may be a Hall sensor whichutilizes a Hall effect. In other words, a sensor which is structured tooutput an output signal when electric power is supplied from the controlsection 14 may be utilized as the magnetic sensor 8. Further, in theembodiment described above, the card reader 1 is a card conveyance typecard reader having a card conveying mechanism. However, the card reader1 may be a manual type card reader in which a card is manually operatedby a user.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

1. A card reader for use with a card comprising a magnetic stripe, thecard reader comprising: a magnetic sensor structured to detect whethermagnetic data are recorded in the magnetic stripe of the card; a controlsection which is structured to supply electric power to the magneticsensor and into which an output signal of the magnetic sensor isinputted; and a card insertion part which is formed with a cardinsertion port into which the card is inserted and in which the magneticsensor is disposed; wherein the magnetic sensor outputs an output signalwhen the electric power is supplied from the control section, andwherein the control section is structured such that, in a case that atime period from a time when a recording area of magnetic data recordedin the magnetic stripe of the card inserted into the card insertion portstarts to pass the magnetic sensor to a time when the recording area hasfinished passing through the magnetic sensor is defined as a cardpassage time period, the control section supplies the electric power tothe magnetic sensor during a first supply time period which is shorterthan the card passage time period.
 2. The card reader according to claim1, wherein the control section is structured to supply the electricpower during the first supply time period to the magnetic sensorintermittently.
 3. The card reader according to claim 2, furthercomprising a card insertion sensor structured to detect that the cardhas been inserted into the card insertion port, wherein the controlsection is structured to supply the electric power during the firstsupply time period to the magnetic sensor intermittently when it isdetected that the card has been inserted into the card insertion portbased on a detected result of the card insertion sensor.
 4. The cardreader according to claim 3, wherein the control section is structuredto execute an abnormality processing in a case that an output signal ofthe magnetic sensor is inputted into the control section when thecontrol section does not supply the electric power to the magneticsensor.
 5. The card reader according to claim 3, wherein the magneticsensor is an MR sensor which utilizes a magnetoresistance effect.
 6. Acontrol method for a card reader comprising a magnetic sensor structuredto detect whether magnetic data are recorded in a magnetic stripe of acard or not and a card insertion part which is formed with a cardinsertion port into which a card is inserted and in which the magneticsensor is disposed, the control method comprising: previously providingthe magnetic sensor structured to output an output signal when electricpower is supplied to the magnetic sensor; and in a case that a timeperiod from a time when a recording area of magnetic data recorded in amagnetic stripe of the card inserted into the card insertion port startsto pass the magnetic sensor to a time when the recording area hasfinished to pass through the magnetic sensor is defined as a cardpassage time period, supplying the electric power to the magnetic sensorduring a first supply time period which is shorter than the card passagetime period.
 7. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol section is structured to execute an abnormality processing in acase that an output signal of the magnetic sensor is inputted into thecontrol section when the control section does not supply the electricpower to the magnetic sensor.
 8. The card reader according to claim 7,wherein the magnetic sensor is an MR sensor which utilizes amagnetoresistance effect.
 9. The card reader according to claim 2,wherein the control section is structured to execute an abnormalityprocessing in a case that an output signal of the magnetic sensor isinputted into the control section when the control section does notsupply the electric power to the magnetic sensor.
 10. The card readeraccording to claim 9, wherein the magnetic sensor is an MR sensor whichutilizes a magnetoresistance effect.
 11. The card reader according toclaim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is an MR sensor which utilizes amagnetoresistance effect.
 12. The control method for a card readeraccording to claim 6, wherein the electric power is supplied during thefirst supply time period to the magnetic sensor intermittently, and itis detected whether magnetic data are recorded in the magnetic stripe ofthe card having been inserted or not based on an output of the magneticsensor when the electric power is supplied to the magnetic sensor. 13.The control method for a card reader according to claim 12, wherein thecard reader comprises a card insertion sensor structured to detect thatthe card has been inserted into the card insertion port, and when it isdetected by the card insertion sensor that the card has been insertedinto the card insertion port, the electric power is supplied during thefirst supply time period to the magnetic sensor intermittently.
 14. Thecontrol method for a card reader according to claim 13, wherein in acase that an output signal is outputted by the magnetic sensor when theelectric power is not supplied to the magnetic sensor, an abnormalityprocessing is executed.
 15. The control method for a card readeraccording to claim 13, wherein the magnetic sensor is an MR sensor whichutilizes a magnetoresistance effect.
 16. The control method for a cardreader according to claim 6, wherein in a case that an output signal isoutputted by the magnetic sensor when the electric power is not suppliedto the magnetic sensor, an abnormality processing is executed.
 17. Thecontrol method for a card reader according to claim 16, wherein themagnetic sensor is an MR sensor which utilizes a magnetoresistanceeffect.
 18. The control method for a card reader according to claim 12,wherein in a case that an output signal is outputted by the magneticsensor when the electric power is not supplied to the magnetic sensor,an abnormality processing is executed.
 19. The control method for a cardreader according to claim 18, wherein the magnetic sensor is an MRsensor which utilizes a magnetoresistance effect.